The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-01-12


the party made complete tour of inspec-
ton of the Home and then wedged its way
through a mass of compressed humanity TO
the little stand which had been built for the
occasion in the main vestibule. Back OF
this rostrum was arranged Wurzburgs or
chestra, and, without, n band discoursed
martial airs.
The main vestibule, the corridors rami-
flying from it. the reading room and Ii
brary, and other adjacent apartments, the
corridors which cluster around the second
story vestibule, were literally jammed full
of human beings. 1t is estimated that
there were in the building during the dedi-
catory exercises $500 individuals. The
platform afforded seats for the Governors
party and the following prominent men:
q overnor-elect Luce, eX- Governor Blair,
Rev. Washington Gardner, Hon. John
Northwood, Dept. Commander G.. A. X.
for Michigan; Representative Cutcheon,
ex- Senator Ferry, Manager Wells, General
Smith and General Pierce.
The two points in decoration which were
most noticeable were General Grants
headquarters flag, ridGled and torn to
shreds by bullets, which was carried from
City Point through the war, and is now
owned by Mrs. Col Geo. Leet; and por-
trait of the lamented General Logan,
draped heavily with Grape.
The programme was opened at few
minutes past / o'clock, and carried out
nearly as prepared. "America" was sung
by the assembled throng, male quartette
leading. Rev. Washington Gardner was
announced by the presiding officer, Gov.
Alger, and offered prayer, after which
Charles Tiedke, the contractor, presented
the building to f. w. HOLSTER, the archi-
tect, who, in turn, handed it over TO Gov.
Alger; and Gov. Alger, acting for the State,
turned the Home over To John Northwood
for dedication. The Department Com
mander, assisted by the State Inspector
General as officer of the day; Chief Mus
tering Officer Jenison, as Chief Guard
Officer; Chaplain Barry; by Comrades
Gray, Racine, and Blose, as Guard of
Honor. and by Comrade Lawrence acting
! for the army and Comrade Olmstead for the
navy, dedicated the Home after the i'm
/ pressive ritual of the G.. A. II. Musical
selections were scattered through this and
the subsequent portion of the programme.
Governor Alger delivered the dedcatory
address, in which, after most impressive
eulogy of the late General Logan, he said
Soldiers, the part assigned me here to-day is
| to welcome you to this beautiful home, provided
| for you by grateful people who are glad TO care
! for you when you are unable to care for your.
| selves.
You do not come here as paupers The great
| State of Michigan does not name you thus, but
| in her gratitude that in the hour OF our coun-
! try's peril, you, with brave hearts, and in the
vigor of youth, volunteered TO face the enemy
that no one Of them should ever set foot upon
her soil, she welcomes you here
! Calamity and well you performed your part.
| and to-day the Union flag floats all over this
great land, thanks to the soldiers of the Union
cause, and u them alone.
| It is needless for me here 20 attempt TO de -
| scribe your struggles in parting from home and
loved ones, or the terrible ordeal through
which you passed neither the scenes YOU wit
messed nor the sufierings you endured no. nor
| to the dear companions you laid silen " in the
| trenches and coflinless graves nor need more
than mention your return to your homes with
pride swelling your hearts, although broken in
| body and wrecked in health. Others more elo-
uuent than will follow here whose words will
quicken your pulse and make yon ieel that you
| loyal, grateful people OF tho grand state OF
| Michigan, TO welcome you here. Here is and
shall continue t. be, your home, until one by
| one YOU are mustered out. And while this
| poor clay may be laid ON the hillside. the soul
that buoyed you up and carried you Through
| that mighty struggle will burst its bands and
be Carried triumphant to its reward Com
| rades, again lei ONE you to this home. To
! you il il dedicated by our state
The next speaker was Governor-elect
Luce, who made an eloquent address, con-
GLIDING as follows:
Michigan sent ~ 900 men TO the most terrible
war of modern times. No Michigan regiment
ever did discrodit or brought dishonor To the
| fought i'm that great strife where Michigan men
were not in the trent ranks and participating in
| the van Our boys were found Mt Bull Run,
| Donolson, Chckamauga Stone Riyor and Allan
| ta Many of them were with sherman in his
| march to the sea. They were ut Antietam and
| Gettysburg, at Charlottesville and ut Nicks-
| burg They were in the first great battle Of the
war, and at Appomattox, the last one. They
| slept on tho cold, damp earth, with nothing 10
| look down upon them but the friendly stars.
| Through their exposure many of them
were disabled in manner that { lis upon
the strong frame and robust constitution in
after years. Many OF these were poor and un-
fortunate The state of Michigan. ever fore
| most in good works, remembering the deeds OF
her heroic sons, has provided amply for the
| wants OF these men. This commodious home
has been provided, and here these old soldiers
are now, and they are to remain the wards Of a
| grateful State. While the broken I'm health
cannot be restored, yet here shall be found
comfort, plenty and kind treatment for the
men who fought I'm the ranks, as well as fer
those who led in tho strife. Almost a genera
ton of men have lived and died since the buge
called 10 arms. One-fourth Of the voters OF the
present year we're not born when the torIfble
strife began. But the young men and maidens,
who were born during the heat Of battle, when
there was mourning in every household. while
tho earth trembled with the shock OF
conflicting forces, and those born since
vie with tho who participated directly or with
sympathy in the awful struggle, in doing honor
| IN the old soldfera and I'm rejoicing that Micht.